
Originally Posted by
architect
You might still want to opt for a second phone so that you can use a local sim overseas. Or a dual-SIM phone to make things more convenient.
More often than not, using a local SIM to call or text back will be cheaper than using your roaming PH SIM to make those calls/texts.
Your friends in PH can send you text messages to your regular PH number. It won't cost them anymore than the usual. It also won't cost you extra. Then you reply via call/text using the local sim of the country where you happen to be at. (Answering roaming calls, of course, is an entirely different and expensive issue.)
Of course, it will be lot more cost-effective if you use Viber or Skype (or Facetime if your device is an Apple) via WiFi or a data plan. But this assumes the party you are contacting is also a user of these free services.
Hope this helps.